CAPTION: An Airtel Money outlet in Kisumu Telecommunications company Airtel Networks Kenya Limited has been brought into the spotlight following shocking claims of ongoing underground fraud activities within the company.
From media reports circulating across Kenyan blogs, a section of frustrated customers is now accusing the firm which has for long played second fiddle to industry giants Safaricom, of holding their hard-earned cash hostage without service delivery.
According to various outlets, anti-fraud detectives based in Kisumu have reportedly been looking into one unfolding incident where a handful of clientele in the area deposited unknown amounts of monies into individual accounts of Airtel staffers and proxies as payment for WiFi installation only for the cash to mysteriously disappear.
The agents and proxies who cannot be traced have also been condemned for using substandard and often broken gadgets during the WiFi installation process.
One group of angry customers confessed to damages caused by poor-quality stand-alone poles meant for receiving signal reception.
Hurting from what they feel is an unimaginable betrayal from a company which some trusted with millions of shillings, customers say it has been nothing short of baffling watching on as Airtel company brokers collude with agents and cartels from Nairobi's office to swindle and frustrate their clients.
Entrepreneurs who have registered businesses with the company say that rogue agents from Kisumu work under the blessing of the head office with most of the money shared among themselves. This, in turn, leaves the company unable to deliver services on time despite prompt payment by clients.
Their pleas have continuously met deaf ears, with all numerous attempts to engage the company’s headquarters over the matter turning out unfruitful as none of protesting letters have been replied to.
In one publication by a popular city blog, the face behind the money-minting racket was exposed as a certain Airtel Kisumu Branch Manager who is reportedly running an almost independent briefcase office where his operatives work as agents under the blessings of the main office.
When customers attempted to reach out to the unholy alliance for intervention, they blatantly rubbished their claims in broad daylight. ”What we would advise Kisumu residents and members of the public at large is they should look for alternative companies who can deliver services without delays but not Airtel. Aitel has been a nightmare,” one disappointed subscriber is quoted as saying.
The group is believed to be built of smooth operators who ensure they cover almost if not all of their tracks making it extremely difficult for anyone, except the hawk-eyed, to uncover their strategies.
The cartels are also said to have developed a thick skin given that they apparently pride in the fact that they hold some of the company's top secrets which cannot be wished away easily.
Insiders privy to the racket have described them dreaded reptiles who act holier than thou yet their skeletons are wrapped under the carpet.
Members of the public now demand to know why the accused persons act in such a manner which makes it extremely difficult to quantify their work and distinguish themselves as either businesspeople working in an individual capacity or company employees working for Airtel.
We at nyakundireport.com shall be closely following this developing story and publish subsequent news updates on the same. Make sure you check back so you don't miss out.